FORT HOOD, Texas - Soldiers from 1st battalion, 21st Field Artillery, 41st Fires Brigade, returned to Fort Hood safely from their deployment to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Sep. 1.
The Rail Gunners were responsible for the transportation and security of members in support of the NATO Training Mission Afghanistan, in and around the Afghan capital city of Kabul.
The Soldiers received a round of applause when they marched into the 1-21st Field Artillery Battalion headquarters area where families and friends gathered to great the troops.
The night became even more extraordinary when the crowd was witness to Spc. Alberto Sdelamora's, a motor transport operator in 575th Field Support Company, 1-21st Field Artillery Battalion, 41st Fires Brigade, marriage proposal to his girlfriend, Mariaya Santiago.
Sdelamora made the proposal over the loud speaker system after informing the crowd that he had an announcement that he would like to make.
"I couldn't feel my legs because I was so nervous," Sdelamora said.
There was a collective "ahh" from the crowd of families and then the moment was celebrated with another ovation after Santiago accepted Sdelamora's ring.
"I nodded [yes] because I couldn't speak, I was crying," said the future bride, Santiago.